Every Child Sees the Show

Thank you Foster's Daily Democrat, for printing the article on a magician getting tricky during a tricky economy. Read it at: http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090524/GJBUSINESS_01/705249990

Last week, also published in the business section, an article about new relationships with Hackmatack Playhouse in Berwick, Maine and International Brotherhood of Magicians. Link is: http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090516/GJBUSINESS_01/705169986

June and July BJ Hickman schedule posted.

BJ Hickman's Schedule Highlights for June, 2009

Fayetteville, NC. (private).
Alliance for Better Childcare.
Main Dunstable School, Nashua, NH
Lexington Extended Day (MA).
Old Landing, Durham, NH.
Seacoast Learning Center, NH.
Great Bay Kids, Stratham Hill Park, NH.
Edna Libby School, Sebago Lake, ME.
Interlakes, Meredith, NH.
NH Special Olympics, UNH track field, 1:30, Fri., June 12.
Portsmouth High School (NH).
Nordic Village, Jackson, NH (Several dates)
Reeds Ferry Elementary School, NH.
Londonderry, NH.
Co-op Food Store event, 10:30 - 12:30, Hanover, NH.
Tri City Christian Academy, Somersworth, NH.
Kindercare, Andover, MA.
Wentworth Douglass Hospital, Dover, NH outing.
Growing Places, Durham, NH.
Hampton Falls, NH.
Paistow Old Home Day, 10AM, Sat., June 27, on the green.
Kensington, NH.
Nashville, TN, International Brotherhood of Magicians Convention.

July Highlights:
Nashville, TN, International Brotherhood of Magicians Convention.
Poland Spring Campground, Maine.
VACATION
Rochester, NH.
Mason's Day, Strawberry Banke, Portsmouth, NH. 2:00 Sat., July 11.
Nordic Village, Jackson, NH (several dates).
Lexington, MA.
North Andover Youth Services, MA, 10:00AM, July 14, Town Common.
Massebecic Audubon Center Waste Management sponsored show, Auburn, NH.
Dorcester Old Home Day (NH), 9:30AM, Sat., July 18.
Kindercare, Merrimack, NH.Kids Inn, Amherst, NH.
Peabody YMCA, MA.
Saugus YMCA, MA.
Tracy Library, New London, NH, 2:00, Wed., July 29.
Ossipee (NH) Recreation, Town Hall, 6:30PM, Thurs., July 30.
Camp Eaton, York Beach, Maine.

Dom DeLuise

Reflecting back when I heard that Actor/Comedian Dom DeLuise died the other day, I went through my notes from a conference I attended in Los Angeles in 1997. It was a "Professional Performers Workshop." About a dozen magicians from around the country gathered to exchange ideas and spend some time with celebrity guest lecturers.

Magician BJ Hickman with actor/comedian Dom DeLuise in 1997, a year after Hickman left broadcasting to go into business for himself.

I had a chance to talk with Dom DeLuise at some length during the workshop (He loved magic and one of his characters was that of a bumbling magician). He told me that it was important in his career to diversify. He mentioned that he wasn't in any movies that year, but that he was doing all right. He talked about diversification, creativity, and a good business sense. When he died, the headlines noted he was an Actor, Comedian, Chef, Author, and voice in Animated Films.

It's advice like DeLuise's that, on a much smaller scale, made me consider adding speaking presentations, marketing and advertising services, and educational programs to my "magic show" business; and add creative techniques to make sure I stay productive.